Educators are at the heart of serving students—and they have ideas that can transform their own profession. At the SREB Summer Conference, we asked teachers, coaches, counselors and administrators from around the South a simple but powerful question: What would it take to make teaching more attractive and sustainable? Through on-camera interviews, focus groups, and surveys, educators shared their honest perspectives on the challenges they face today and their solution ideas for the future. This video report brings their voices directly to the policymakers, state leaders and district administrators who have the power to act—because when we listen to educators and work together, we can rebuild and innovate the profession—attracting and retaining the talent our students deserve.

Nine Quick Takes on “Educator Insights on How to Save the Teaching Profession”

These one-minute clips capture key moments from our educator workforce video, offering focused insights on the policies and practices that can make a lasting difference.

Making Education a Competitive Career 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, education professionals highlight the financial challenges schools face in attracting and retaining talented educators, especially those coming from higher-paying industries. Fair, livable compensation is critical to making education a viable, long-term career.  

Professional Pay for the Teaching Profession 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, education professionals discuss how increasing teacher pay has helped bring more applicants into the profession.  

Teachers Can Inspire Students to Become Teachers 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, education professionals reflect on the importance of showing students that teaching can be a meaningful and rewarding career. They emphasize inspiring future educators early and highlighting the impact teaching can have on students’ lives. 

Strengthening the Teaching Pipeline with Paid Residencies 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, education professionals discuss the value of longer teacher residencies. Spending a full year in the classroom, with support to make it financially feasible, helps new teachers gain experience and stay in the profession. 

Thoughts on Teacher Training and Development 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, education professionals highlight the importance of instructional coaching and mentoring. Supporting new and experienced teachers through paid professional development can strengthen the workforce and help more educators succeed. 

Investing in Education Resources 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, educators call attention to the funding challenges schools face. From classroom resources to support services and fair pay, they emphasize that expectations for teachers and students must be matched with the funding needed to meet them. 

Challenges of the Profession: Development & Curriculum 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, educators stress the need for meaningful professional development and the resources to put new ideas into practice. 

Challenges of the Profession: Job Satisfaction 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, an educator reflects on the importance of teachers valuing themselves, noting that fostering respect and satisfaction in the profession is essential to inspiring the next generation of educators. 

 

The Principal Effect 

In this clip from SREB’s Teacher Workforce series, educators emphasize the impact of strong leadership on schools. Effective principals can transform the teaching experience, while investing in leadership development helps build a workforce where teachers can thrive. 

These videos were produced in partnership with NolaVid, a videography company in New Orleans, LA. SREB staff contributors include Sheniqua Pierce, analyst II, Jessica Nadzam, research associate and Megan Boren, director, educator workforce.